« | Psalm 9 | » |
1 I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart. I will tell of all the great things You have done.
2 I will be glad and full of joy because of You. I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
3 When those who hate me turn away, they fall and are lost from You.
4 For You have stood by my right actions. You sit on Your throne, and are right in how You judge.
5 You have spoken sharp words to the nations and have destroyed the sinful. You have thrown out their name forever and ever.
6 Those who fight against You are finished forever. You have destroyed their cities. They will be remembered no more.
7 But the Lord lives forever. He has set up His throne to say who is guilty or not.
8 He will punish the world by what is right. He will be fair as He rules the people.
9 The Lord also keeps safe those who suffer. He is a safe place in times of trouble.
10 Those who know Your name will put their trust in You. For You, O Lord, have never left alone those who look for You.
11 Sing praises to the Lord, Who lives in Zion! Tell all the nations what He has done!
12 For He Who punishes for the blood of another remembers them. He does not forget the cry of those who suffer.
13 Have pity on me, O Lord! See how I suffer from those who hate me, You Who have lifted me up from the gates of death,
14 that I may tell of all Your praises in the gates of the people of Zion. There I will be full of joy because You save.
15 The nations have fallen into the hole they have dug. Their own feet have been caught in the net they have hidden.
16 The Lord has made Himself known. He is fair in His Law. The sinful trap themselves by the work of their own hands.
17 The sinful, all the nations that forget God, will be turned back into the grave.
18 But those in need will not always be forgotten. The hope of the poor will not be lost forever.
19 Rise up, O Lord! Do not let man win the fight against You. Let the nations come to You and be judged.
20 Make them afraid, O Lord. Let the nations know they are only men.
The New Life Version (NLV)
The New Life Version (NLV) is a unique English translation of the Bible designed to be exceptionally easy to read and understand. First published in 1969, the NLV was created by Gleason Ledyard, a missionary and linguist, to make the Scriptures accessible to people who have limited English proficiency or are new to the language. Ledyard’s aim was to provide a Bible that even those with minimal education could read and comprehend, thus opening the door for a wider audience to engage with the biblical texts.
A defining characteristic of the New Life Version is its use of a limited vocabulary of about 850 basic English words, along with some necessary theological terms. This restricted vocabulary ensures that the language remains simple and straightforward, making the text accessible to young readers, new Christians, and those for whom English is a second language. The translators also avoided idiomatic expressions and complex sentence structures, further enhancing clarity and understanding. This makes the NLV a particularly valuable resource for educational and missionary work.
The NLV also emphasizes faithfulness to the original texts, despite its simplified language. The translation aims to maintain the integrity and message of the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts. By carefully choosing words that accurately convey the meaning of the original texts while ensuring simplicity, the NLV provides a balance between accessibility and fidelity. Additionally, the NLV includes explanatory footnotes and cross-references that help readers understand the context and deeper meanings of the passages, making it a useful tool for both personal study and group teaching.
However, the New Life Version is not without its critics. Some scholars and traditionalists argue that the limited vocabulary and simplified language can lead to a loss of nuance and depth found in the original texts. They suggest that the NLV’s focus on simplicity may sometimes oversimplify complex theological concepts. Despite these criticisms, the New Life Version remains a valuable translation for its intended audience, offering a clear and approachable rendition of the Bible that helps a wide range of readers engage with the Scriptures and grow in their faith.